PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One of the nine victims shot during a West Philadelphia block party over the weekend has been identified as one of the shooters who started the gunfight, according to police.
The shooting happened around 2 a.m. Sunday at an outdoor party along Aldan Street, about a block away from Haverford Avenue and Carroll Park. Three people were killed and another six were wounded.
Police said 28-year-old Tahir Shoatz, who was shot in the shoulders, knee and stomach, is now accused of being one of the shooters.
The three victims who were killed were 23-year-old Sakayi Robinson, as well as brothers Rashid Jones, 29, and Akil Jones, 33. Sources told KYW Newsradio that they believe one of the Jones brothers got into an argument with Shoatz, possibly over drugs, and a fistfight escalated into a gun battle.
Investigators recovered three guns from the scene and determined nearly 40 shots were fired. More than 100 people were at the party.
In addition to three murder charges, Shoatz faces five counts of aggravated assault, among other offenses.
Shoatz has two open cases in Montgomery County for driving with a suspended license. Sources said he had also been arrested a handful of times before this incident, including for a drug offense in 2020.
The injured victims from Sunday’s shooting range in age from 26 to 30. They were wounded in various parts of their bodies — legs, feet, shoulders and abdomens. One suffered a graze wound to the head. All are expected to physically recover.
Shoatz remains in the hospital.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests may come.